Michael Quintos

Michael Quintos

A So. Cal. Contributing Editor since 2009, Michael Lawrence Quintos is a talented, mild-mannered Senior Designer by day. But as night falls, he regularly performs on various stages everywhere as a Countertenor soloist, actor, and dancer for OC's MenAlive Chorus since 2002. He sings everything from Broadway, Jazz, R&B, Classical, Gospel and Pop, and has shared the stage with Bernadette Peters, Debbie Reynolds, Michael Feinstein, and Liza Minnelli. In June 2019, he made his soloist debut at the Hollywood Bowl in front of 17,000 concertgoers. His musical theater roots started early, performing in various stage productions and a couple of nationally-televised competition programs. The performing bug eventually brought him a brief championship run in the Philippines' version of "Star Search" before moving to Las Vegas at age 11. College brought him out to Orange County, California, where he earned a BFA in Graphic Design and a BA in Film Screenwriting. He has spent several years as a designer and art director for various media companies, while spending his free time going to Disneyland, binge-watching shows, or performing in or watching live shows. Follow Michael on TwitterX or Instagram @cre8iveMLQ.




LEARN MORE ABOUT Michael Quintos

First Show:

The first show I ever saw on Broadway was the 2013 Revival of PIPPIN (my first time in NYC!)

Favorite Show:

1. RAGTIME 2. WEST SIDE STORY 3. SPRING AWAKENING4. WICKED 5. CAROUSEL 6. HAMILTON 7. FOLLIES8. DREAMGIRLS 9. A CHORUS LINE 10. HAIRSPRAY

Favorite Stories:

  • BWW Interview: Lily Tomlin (2013) - The resulting article from my almost 4-hour-plus conversation with Ms. Tomlin is still one of my favorite early pieces as a BroadwayWorld contributor. Our candid talk felt less like an interview and more like a casual chat with a living legend, who was mentoring and giving a detailed overview of a storied career to a fan. By the end of our talk, she even joked "well, you can probably write my biography at this point, I've told you so much!"
  • World of Color - Opening Night Coverage (2010) - Some of my early assignments for BWW (before doing mostly show reviews) involved covering the press line at red carpets on Opening Nights of shows. As a Disney fan, getting to cover the opening of WORLD OF COLOR at Disney California Adventure on the *blue* carpet was so much fun! I wish I had the bandwidth to cover more of these kinds of events nowadays.
  • BWW Reviews: All-Star RENT at the Hollywood Bowl (2010) - I celebrated my 1-Year Anniversary as a correspondent for BWW by reviewing (not just attending) the Hollywood Bowl's annual all-star summer musical, which in 2010 was Jonathan Larson's RENT, directed by Neil Patrick Harris. It was the night the world and I discovered ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger needed to do more musicals.
  • BWW Reviews: CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND (2018) - Though I admittedly enjoy musicals far more than straight plays, once in a while I get to see some of the most extraordinary productions that don't involve people randomly bursting into song. This world premiere at South Coast Repertory in 2018 (which *does* have music) still sits in my brain and my heart, particularly because as I enter my 15th year covering local OC theater, it make me hopeful and encouraged by the increasing diverse voices I see in new works being staged (see also my review of SCR's 2023 World Premiere of COLEMAN '72).
  • BWW Interview: ALAN CUMMING (2009) - Everything has a beginning... and this article marked my first ever interview with a celeb after just a month of writing for BroadwayWorld. I still have this Tony winner's text saved (well a screenshot anyway) of him texting me to call him back because he was in an elevator when I originally called him to chat LOL.


MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

Review: MJ - THE MUSICAL Moonwalks Into OC's Segerstrom Center
Review: MJ - THE MUSICAL Moonwalks Into OC's Segerstrom Center
March 23, 2024

An overall resounding triumph despite its insistence on side-stepping some of the more salacious scandals associated with its subject, pop star Michael Jackson—MJ - THE MUSICAL is a genuinely entertaining and nostalgic show that purposely aims to celebrate the creative, if misunderstood genius behind some of the biggest hits in pop music history.

Review: Grammy Nominee Jane Monheit Makes OC Return at Irvine Barclay
Review: Grammy Nominee Jane Monheit Makes OC Return at Irvine Barclay
March 19, 2024

Returning to Orange County, CA for a one-night-only concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Monheit stunned the audience with her incredible talents, offering fresh live performances of superb tunes—including many from the Broadway stage—that are slated for her upcoming new studio album releasing this summer.

Review: Musical Theatre West Revisits Classic 42ND STREET in Long Beach
Review: Musical Theatre West Revisits Classic 42ND STREET in Long Beach
February 13, 2024

For the most part, MTW's brand-new, admirably plucky 2024 production—now on stage through February 25—succeeds as an entertaining, visually cheerful show, filled with strong performances, a rousingly robust orchestra, and dynamic, zestfully tap-tastic dance numbers. Despite its lack of any real, serious stakes, the show itself is still a fun time.

Review: Bold Staging of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH Rocks Chance Theater
Review: Bold Staging of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH Rocks Chance Theater
February 9, 2024

Featuring a humorous yet surprisingly poignant original story from John Cameron Mitchell and piercing, high-octane tunes from composer Stephen Trask, the gloriously ribald glam-rock musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is currently flipping its wigs out in a brand new extremely engaging production at the Chance Theater continuing thru February 25.

Review: Disney's THE LION KING Rules Once More at OC's Segerstrom Center
Review: Disney's THE LION KING Rules Once More at OC's Segerstrom Center
February 6, 2024

Now in its 27th year, Disney's game-changing, Tony Award-winning global megahit THE LION KING has once again taken over OC's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa for another month of performances that continues through February 25, 2024. Even today, the show still manages to elicit genuine wonder and awe for kids and adults alike.

Review: Broadway's Jessica Vosk Honors the Songwriters of Laurel Canyon at OC's Segerstrom Center
Review: Broadway's Jessica Vosk Honors the Songwriters of Laurel Canyon at OC's Segerstrom Center
January 30, 2024

A spectacular one-night-only concert at OC's Segerstrom Center starring one of Broadway's most acclaimed stars, Jessica Vosk's 'California Dreamin'' is a rousing, informative tribute to the incredible singer/songwriters that populated the Laurel Canyon artists community in Los Angeles that included Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, and more.

Review: Fun-Filled Musical Remake of MYSTIC PIZZA Debuts at La Mirada Theatre
Review: Fun-Filled Musical Remake of MYSTIC PIZZA Debuts at La Mirada Theatre
January 25, 2024

A lively, vibrant new jukebox musical based on the 1988 film, La Mirada Theatre's fun and entertaining new production of MYSTIC PIZZA—now playing through February 11, 2024—is a charming, if forgivably predictable coming-of-age tale featuring 80's/90's hits and a cast of likable actors and characters that will easily win audiences' affections.

Review: Broadway Talents Honor Olivia Newton-John at OC's Segerstrom Center
Review: Broadway Talents Honor Olivia Newton-John at OC's Segerstrom Center
January 19, 2024

Hosted by Scott Coulter at OC's Segerstrom Center, this beautifully-curated 'greatest hits' showcase celebrating Olivia Newton-John provided an entertaining tribute, delivered via superb performances from the likes of Jessica Hendy, David Burnham, and Mike Schwitter, plus a first-person testimonial from her longtime producer John Farrar.

Review: OC Welcomes Weekend Holiday Concerts from Megan Hilty and Linda Eder
Review: OC Welcomes Weekend Holiday Concerts from Megan Hilty and Linda Eder
January 5, 2024

In December 2023, the OC welcomed back two powerhouse vocalists who each gave their own respective holiday-themed concerts: Broadway fave Megan Hilty at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa; and recording artist Linda Eder at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. To no one's surprise, both entertained and awed with their spectacular talents.

Review: THE GRINCH Stage Musical Slithers Back into OC's Segerstrom Center
Review: THE GRINCH Stage Musical Slithers Back into OC's Segerstrom Center
December 21, 2023

The touring stage adaptation of Dr. Seuss' cheeky holiday tale returns to the OC's Segerstrom Center with a non-equity cast. While the show itself is still a charmer—especially for young audiences—the bad audio mix at Costa Mesa's largest theater leaves most of the show's lyrics and dialogue indecipherable.

Review: FORBIDDEN BROADWAY Returns to OC's Segerstrom Center
Review: FORBIDDEN BROADWAY Returns to OC's Segerstrom Center
November 28, 2023

On November 16-18, 2023, Segerstrom Center for the Arts's Samueli Theater welcomed back FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, the hit Broadway-skewering parody show that pokes fun at the Great White Way. Aimed as a 'greatest hits' iteration, the show was a (mostly) funny 2-Act program, but a lot of its material proved surprisingly outdated and out-of-touch.

Review: Carole King's Life Story Blossoms in BEAUTIFUL at La Mirada
Review: Carole King's Life Story Blossoms in BEAUTIFUL at La Mirada
November 20, 2023

McCoy Rigby Entertainment is currently presenting a superb, highly-entertaining Southern California Regional Premiere production of BEAUTIFUL at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, which continues performances through December 3, 2023. To put it simply, this production is quite well done. Oh, if only all jukebox musicals were this good.

Review: East West Players Presents Energetic SPRING AWAKENING
Review: East West Players Presents Energetic SPRING AWAKENING
November 15, 2023

Based on Frank Wedekind's controversial 1891 play about a group of young students ill-informed about their budding sexuality, this 2006 Broadway adaptation is buoyed by its alt-rock score by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik. EWP's new production boasts a pleasantly diverse cast blessed with excellent singing voices.

Review: Superb A RAISIN IN THE SUN Moves In at South Coast Repertory
Review: Superb A RAISIN IN THE SUN Moves In at South Coast Repertory
November 9, 2023

Directed with engaging, often riveting pacing by Khanisha Foster—and featuring some of the absolute best, deeply-searing acting performances I've witnessed so far this season—this brand new, powerfully-staged SCR production of Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking 1959 play is just too damn good to miss.

Review: Musical Theatre West's Heartwarming THE SOUND OF MUSIC Blesses Long Beach
Review: Musical Theatre West's Heartwarming THE SOUND OF MUSIC Blesses Long Beach
October 25, 2023

MTW's pleasantly perky, traditionally-executed production comes across as a show that's very eager to please, armed with a keen, fine-tuned goal of making sure both fans and newbies to this beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein classic are left feeling uplifted and happy. The show continues through November 5 at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach.

Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD Revisits The Temptations' Hits at Segerstrom Center
Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD Revisits The Temptations' Hits at Segerstrom Center
October 20, 2023

A surprisingly enjoyable jukebox musical featuring phenomenally-performed song-and-dance spectaculars (but with an awkwardly delivered story structure), this touring version of the 2019 Broadway musical about the founding of Motown's R&B supergroup The Temptations is a fun evening at the theater, especially for those looking for a nostalgic trip.

Review: A Legend is Reimagined in Octavio Solis' QUIXOTE NUEVO at South Coast Repertory
Review: A Legend is Reimagined in Octavio Solis' QUIXOTE NUEVO at South Coast Repertory
October 17, 2023

On the immediate surface, QUIXOTE NUEVO is a feast for the senses. On a deeper level, the play explores relevant issues, particularly those affecting the Latinx community. Sandwiched in between, however, is a distracting use of sophomoric humor that slightly threatens to counter all of the good messaging the play attempts to push forward.

Review: The Scorching-Hot Rhythm of ON YOUR FEET! Is Gonna Get You at La Mirada
Review: The Scorching-Hot Rhythm of ON YOUR FEET! Is Gonna Get You at La Mirada
October 12, 2023

La Mirada Theatre’s new production of the Estefans’ aspirational life story reverberates with high-octane, vivacious Latin rhythms presented via enthusiastically-performed dance numbers and beautifully-sung songs—elevated by its terrific, talented ensemble. This engaging production (going on tour soon) is undeniably lively and electric.

Review: Tony Winner Kelli O'Hara Performs Exquisite Concert at Irvine Barclay
Review: Tony Winner Kelli O'Hara Performs Exquisite Concert at Irvine Barclay
October 2, 2023

Tony Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O'Hara has established herself as true theater royalty, one of a handful of go-to leading ladies that have amassed a rabid, fanatic following that can elicit frequent deafening kudos from audiences and critics alike. She brings undeniable evidence of this in her recent return engagement to the O.C.

Review: Thunderous LES MISERABLES Tour Storms Back into Segerstrom Center
Review: Thunderous LES MISERABLES Tour Storms Back into Segerstrom Center
September 22, 2023

Don't let the show's overall over-the-top theatrics dissuade you from experiencing this visually-stunning, showstopper-filled production which continues at Segerstrom Center through October 1. A boisterous, grandiose spectacle of overtly expressed emotions and overtly belted show tunes, LES MISÉRABLES remains as amplified as it has always been.



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